Logan Allen continues strong start to season, shuts down Orioles

When the season began, there were some questions about what should be expected out of Cleveland Guardians pitcher Logan Allen. Last season did not go as planned for Allen, and he was even sent down to Triple-A Columbus to work on a few things, but with his latest outing, it sure seems like he has become one of their more reliable arms in their rotation.

Allen was tasked with facing the Orioles in Baltimore for the first game of their three-game set, and he did not disappoint. The third-year left-hander did not allow a run in 5.2 innings while giving up just two hits and striking out six. This performance from Allen, combined with the offensive output of the Guardians lineup on Tuesday night, led to a relatively easy and mostly stress-free 6-3 Cleveland win.

Even though Allen was one-third of an inning short of officially being credited with a quality start (6+ innings pitched with three runs or fewer allowed), there is no doubt that his performance against the Orioles was one of quality. Being able to limit a lineup like Baltimore's is no small feat, and his efforts deserve to be recognized accordingly.

Through three starts, Allen has allowed four runs (five total) on 13 hits and nine walks while striking out 11 in 15.2 innings of work. Allen's 2.30 ERA is impressive, but his WHIP (1.404) and strikeout frequency (6.3 K/9) could use some work. The good news here is that since his first start against the San Diego Padres (4 runs allowed on seven hits and five walks with one strikeout in 5.1 innings), Allen has not allowed an earned run and increased his strikeout total tenfold while walking one less batter in two starts. This shows that Allen has made the necessary corrections and is proving in real time that he can be an arm the Guardians can rely upon in their rotation.